August 25, 2009

*sometimes all i want to do is color, yeah, like ALL DAY * primary colors in use once again *still looking for an On-line mixed media class*trying to incorporate journaling into my "coloring" *for now i have to make-up my own "art school" as i go *the hard thing is to decide about the homework*i so much want to go out there and buy more pens/markers*i'm glad i found this watercolor moleskine, it keeps the colors rich *i'm getting really flighty, just can't decide what to do next but i know for sure i don't want to spend my evenings watching tv.*now, netflix is a different matter, but i haven't joined yet * vacations are good * work is good *doing things you'd rather not is good * expressing yourself is good *connecting to friends is good *reading and listening to people that reinforce your values is good *working on my character issues is good * exercising is good *eating less crap is good *allowing occasional chocolate bites is even sweeter

What things are you trying to learn or do? Can you find the time? The Energy? The solution?

Yep, I journal. These are my journals, for my eyes only. I’ve told
my DH (Dear Husband) that he can read them any time he wants
(yawn/yawn), but to remember whatever I write there is so
passing and fleeting and to not hold me accountable for anything
I’ve written. Half of what goes on the page gets forgotten at
once. Think Brain Dump!

My journals don’t care if I have:
- sloppy handwriting (which I do, especially if writing down a
dream, or excited)
- a bad mood
- if my sentences run on and on and on.
- if i use imperfect grammar or can’t spell
- write letters that never get sent!
- draft letters that do get sent
- if I’m not so “nice”, so “kind”, so “pleasant”….reality check time
here, no pretense allowed! Whew! What a Relief!!

The Plus side of these books is:
- i may start off in a grumpy mood, but i usually don’t end up that
way! Yeah-hey! Much appreciated by those that live or work
with me, i’m sure!
- writing gives me insight. i figure things out as i go
- wonderful reference material for remembering someone new or
a fact that was interesting enough to write down that day.
- it lets me be me
- it’s never offended by my silence! When I neglect it for weeks,
months or years! Oh my!!
- lists, to do’s
- sometimes just the act of writing helps to Remind me later.
(in college i always re-wrote my notes)- “stream of consciousness” writing

My current stash has 34 journals (+6 brand new ones bidding
their time). I like to include the start date and the finish
date. One journal i started while pregnant with my firstborn
Feb 1988 and finished March 1998. I guess in those 10 years
with 5 moves, and 2 kids, being a Navy wife with her DH
deployed for many months at a time didn’t leave me much
leisure after the kids were born. Too bad, cuz that would’ve
been an ideal place to record some of the kids sayings and
developments back then.

I stock up on the Composition Books when they are a buck
or less. I’ve tried decorating the covers and it’s not my thing.
So glad there are more color/pattern choices now than before.

Well, here you have it! My life or rather my Inner Life on paper!
To be destroyed upon my death! Cheery thought!

My Goal is to take some of these entries and do an Art Journal.
A Mixed Media journal. I just don’t have a clue where to take
my page though! Really must take a class……...

August 20, 2009

Where was facebook when I got out of school? If only I had a wayto stay connected with my friends that I grew up with in St.Louis.A bit of a bummer to move away just before my Junior year inHigh School.

I wasn't on the facebook bandwagon until last week. I thought..."Pleeezzz....it'll just be another thing to take up my time, tocompare myself to (think # of friends), to scratch my head aboutthinking of something clever to say. But, that has changed....

I'm a product of the "Class of 79". And I didn't attend my 30 yrreunion this summer. I only spent 2 yrs at the High School I grad-uated from. Plus, my moulding time was spent with the St.Louis crowd.So, they celebrated their reunion without me, as it should be. Ididn't graduate from there. But still.....

Alas, we move on, get busy with our lives, make new friends and findit harder and harder to keep up with the old. It's these old friendsthat are a piece of me. They are part of the fabric of my memoriesfrom grade school, Junior High, and High School. My first swim teamand softball teams. How to win and how to lose with grace. My firstteachers, the ones we made fun of because they repeated themselves allthe time or wore funny clothes. And the cool teachers that taught ushow to believe in ourselves,(Mr.Dunkman). Or the teachers that couldmake us laugh. Even the teachers who got us interested in the world,learning.

I joined facebook last week (scratch that, I've been on it for 3 yearsbecause I thought when my kids got on it I should friend them. But, I never requested it).

I've scanned, uploaded and tagged people in about 40+ pictures, which Iposted on facebook. OMG!! What a huge response I got from theSt.Louis crowd. People were asking to friend me, I was requesting friendsfrom others that I've fallen out of touch with. What a Trip!!!!A bit of Advice: Never part with your High School yearbooks, or earlier! I don't know where mine are, Ugh!!

I'm still looking for a few classmates from my graduating class, like Bridget. Hopefully when her kids start using Facebook she'll get on too, and then we can reconnect!

So, I gotta ask:Do you Facebook? and... has it been a blessing or a burden?

August 12, 2009

Why didn't I take more Art Classes?Why did I compare myself to more talented people only to become discouraged and give up?Is it too late to find my voice?Is it too late to learn something new....heck a lotta new?Am I too old for this? For coloring? For playing? For painting by numbers?Isn't imitation the greatest form of flattery?Can I just take a little of this from her and a little of that from him andmake something that is easier for me?

The above doodle page was done on my recent vacation to Florida.It's the first time I've actually drawn in this particular moleskine.I'm not happy with the paper in this moleskine. I think this one was for sketchers. Must find a more marker-friendly moleskine, possibly somethinglike this ONE.

About Me

By day...I work in the Healthcare field, where every .. i.. has to be dotted and every ..t.. has to be crossed. This blog is the place where I can let myself go and have some fun.
I am on a journey. A journey I started a long time ago, but
it has been a bit sidetracked with Navy Wife relocations and raising kids. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I have got some time for me. No, I will not be one of those moms walking around the house with Empty Nest Syndrome, I have got way too much to do, to learn, to create. Sure, once the kids are gone I will miss them....but hey, there is always the phone, the email, the texting and the Plane tickets! I love my life and my family and It is fun moving into this new stage.
I am into Digital Scrapbooking, photography, journaling, Art Journaling and Drawing. I am a do-it-yourselfer and I am trying to teach myself to draw. I am finding that it takes a lot of patience, lots of practice and a good eraser!
And if you're really curious there's a 3 part Interview by Eileen:
HERE
All the best,
Eden